University of Groningen professors
Position of the professor
A professor plays a central role in teaching and research and the organization thereof. A professor is responsible for the quality and the orientation of the tasks to be performed within the department or unit. A professor is also responsible for the organization of the department and must contribute to the organization and policy of the faculty.
Types of appointment
In law there are two types of professor, an ordinary professor and a professor by special appointment. Ordinary professors are appointed by the university. An ordinary professor can also be appointed without entering into paid employment (honorary appointment without remuneration). Professors by special appointment are appointed by a legal entity, often a foundation or association. The UG also has the adjunct professor. The adjunct professor follows an academic career path leading up to an appointment as professor after a period of 4 to 7 years, provided the adjunct professor meets the pre-agreed appointment criteria according to the judgement of a committee. These criteria and procedures are described in various faculty memoranda for academic career policies.
Ordinary professors can be appointed full-time or part-time. The difference between them is based on the extent of the position. The policy of the CvB is that a minimum appointment must cover 50% of the working hours, unless the main employment of the person in question is outside the University. The ordinary professor with a small part-time appointment usually involves a professor from a profession (“professor of practice”).
Appointment by the Board of the University
Professors are appointed by the Board of the University after nomination by the dean on behalf of the Faculty Board on the basis of advice from a broadly composed promotion or appointment advisory committee. Guidelines exist for the composition of the committees. The nomination is discussed monthly in the consultation between Rector and Prorectors for a substantive and procedural quality check, before appointment by the Board.
More information on the RUG's professorship policy can be found below:
| Last modified: | 21 July 2025 10.37 a.m. |